Sick and dying chickens, Help!

[Fatts Farm]

So, I've raised layer chickens for years, wirhno issues. But I am currently losing one every week or so. I can tell who is next, they come off feed, become droopy and then I find them dead in a day or two. I finally opened one up and this is what I found. Any advise or answers will be appreciated

 

[Kiki]

Are they losing balance...having leg issues before they die?


What state are you in?

 

[Kiki]

Could be:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/neoplasms/lymphoid-leukosis-in-poultry

 

[coach723]

I would send the next one for a necropsy with labs, you may be dealing with Marek's disease or something like lymphoid leukosis.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

 

[Fatts Farm]

Are they losing balance...having leg issues before they die?


What state are you in?

I am in Alabama. No leg issues, they seem to stay up on something to distance themselves from the others. I've probably lost 6 hens and this was a big rooster. One hen went blind (I put her down) but none of the others. I've wormed, give vitamins, clean the chicken yard, provide clean water, feed laying pellets and left over veggies.

 

[igorsMistress]

I’m so sorry for your losses. Without a proper necropsy you won’t know for sure what’s happening.

Here’s a link to a thread with state lab info.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/➡-necropsy-disease-testing-state-labs-info.1236884/

 

[coach723]

Your absolute best option is a professional necropsy. If it's a virus, you need to know. It's not likely that this is anything you caused, but knowing exactly what it is makes a big difference in knowing how to deal with it going forward. Check the links we've given you, call the closest one to you to get instructions and particulars on shipping or delivery so that you are prepared when you lose the next and can send or take it right away. Refrigerate the body, don't freeze it. In many states it's not terribly expensive and the information is really valuable to have.

 

[Fatts Farm]

I would send the next one for a necropsy with labs, you may be dealing with Marek's disease or something like lymphoid leukosis.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Thanks, I am definitely going to do this.

 

[Kiki]

I am in Alabama. No leg issues, they seem to stay up on something to distance themselves from the others. I've probably lost 6 hens and this was a big rooster. One hen went blind (I put her down) but none of the others. I've wormed, give vitamins, clean the chicken yard, provide clean water, feed laying pellets and left over veggies.

You might be dealing with Marek's disease.

Your state has 4 differnet labs...all listed here:
https://agi.alabama.gov/animalindustries/avdl/services/


The form:
https://agi.alabama.gov/animalindus...sites/6/2021/01/poultrysubmissionform2022.pdf

The instructions on how to mail a body in:
https://agi.alabama.gov/animalindustries/avdl/submission-forms/

 

[Kiki]

Totally worth the $25.00 fee:
https://agi.alabama.gov/animalindustries/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/01/AVDL-Fee-Schedule.pdf